It was a celebration galore for Nigerians not only back home, but also in the West Africa sub-region on October 1st as Nigeria Independence Day was observed by the Nigeria community and Nigeria High Commission in both countries intermittently.


Nigeria 53rd Anniversary Celebration in Ghana
Nigeria’s Independent Anniversary celebration in Accra yesterday can best be described as a 3 in 1 event.

In the words of the Nigeria High Commissioner to Ghana: Ambassador Ademola Oluseyi Onafowokan “it was a historical day, not only as independence day for Nigeria, but in the history of Nigeria Community in Ghana, which, for some years now, have witnessed chronic challenges, as far as the leadership of the community is concerned.


The Embassy which had three events lined up on the Independence Day, at 11:00am firstly put a seal on the election done on September 21, which saw to the chosen of 10 executives of the All Nigeria Community in Ghana, through a credible election.


These executive which comprises the newly elected President of All Nigeria Community, Vice, Secretary, Welfare office among others were sworn in at the Nigeria High Commission by the High Commissioner.

Ambassador Onafowokan said: “I am glad to witness this swearing in happen, because this is the All Nigeria Community was duly elected under the supervision of Nigeria High Commission and sworn in to office.”


The celebration proper however commenced at 3pm, at the popular trade fair centre, where all Nigerians resident in Ghana, Nigeria traditional rulers based in Ghana, Nigerian students and well wishers were given platform to express their joy, showcase their multi-cultural dresses, dance and sharing of food and drinks in a unique euphoria.


The climax of the event was at the Nigeria High Commission’s event in the evening, where he later hosted the members of Diplomatic Corps, corporate organizations executives and Nigerian traditional rulers in Ghana.


In his address, Ambassador Onafowokan revealed that the significance of the Nigeria’s 53rd independence is also to underline the opportunity it provides for stock-taking and evaluation of the current level of diplomatic, economic, educational, security and socio-cultural ties between the government and people of Ghana and Nigeria.


Ambassador Onafowokan in reverie of the relationship of Nigeria and Ghana said “the bilateral relation between Ghana and Nigeria has always been cordial, and has continued to be guided by principles of cooperation, collaboration and consultation.”


Speaking on the effort of the two countries in keeping strong the sub -region, he said “The two countries have uncompromisingly played important roles in driving the regional integration agenda of the founding fathers of ECOWAS and their timing peace-keeping interventions have no doubt helped restored stability in various part of West Africa.

Also, the quantum of trade between Nigeria and Ghana, in both formal and informal sector, has in recent been the highest in the sub-region”.


He also called the attention of authorities to the challenges both countries are facing as regard trans-national criminals such as drug traffickers, piracy, money laundering among others: “Despite the fact that prospects for Nigeria-Ghana relations are indeed bright, a lot of work needs to be done by both governments to tackle the security challenges posed by trans-national criminals along our common corridors.”


“It will surprise us to note that between November 2012 and September 2013, over seventy Nigerian girls were rescued from the clutches of human traffickers in Ghana through joint collaboration of our security agencies”.


He, however, commends Ghanaians for peaceful general elections which took place in December 2013. “The successful conduct of the elections and remarkable resolution of post-election issues are a testament of Ghana’s enviable democratic credentials and further reinforced her status as one of the leading democracies in the continent.”


Nigeria 53rd Anniversary Celebration in Togo


The Nigeria Independence anniversary was however celebrated on the 30th of September, by the Nigeria High Commission in republic of Togo and the Nigerian Community therein, under the leadership of Ambassador Mathew Adoli marked Nigeria’s 53rd independence anniversary with joy, dance and re-ignited hope for a Nigeria of our dreams.


The event which took place on Monday evening, at the Ambassador’s residence in Lome, was witnessed by the diplomatic corps domiciled in Lome, Nigerian Community leadership, traditional leaders, Nigerians resident in Togo and Nigerian students from University of Lome.


The cocktail event which was an infusion of cultural dance from various Nigeria cultural groups was preceded by the address of the Nigeria High Commissioner to Togo: Ambassador Mathew Adoli, who was obviously in a high spirit.


Ambassador Adoli who left no stone un-turned as regard the state of the nation, eulogized the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his effort in ensuring political stability of the country. “Democracy has stabilized in Nigeria, and now, with the dedication, honesty, fair mindedness and transparency displayed by President Goodluck Jonathan”.


He stated further that this effort has, no doubt attracted foreign direct investment “in fact, the transformation agenda of the Federal Government clothed in economic reforms has made Nigeria to become one of the greatest economic power of the sub-region and Africa as a continent, with insecurity being been reduced to the barest minimum by the President Jonathan led administration.”


Speaking on the Nigeria Togo relations, Ambassador Adoli reiterated the effort of Nigerian government to foster her relationship with Togo, citing an example of the recent solo trade fair which took place in Togo, and organized by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council which it aimed was to “showcasing to our Togolese brothers products made in Nigeria, which can be patronized by the Togolese, in order to strengthen economical ties of the two countries; thereby encouraging integration within the sub-region.”


He also emphasized on the Nigeria, Togo Military relations, which he described as “a useful exchanges”.


“I noted with pride, the growing Nigeria/Togo Military relations manifested by the visit to Togo of Course 36 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College. Nigeria will, in due course, send student officers to Togolese Military Institutions for training and study of the French language. Togo has military officers in the Nigeria Defence Academy and other military institutions in Nigeria,” he disclosed.


Whilst thanking the government of Togo and President Faure Gnassingbe for making facilities available for the Nigerian students at the village du Benin and the University of Lome, who come to study French on a yearly basis. He also urged international community represented by their diplomat to invest in Nigeria as “Nigeria will be counted among the twenty most developed economies by the year 2020”.